In continuation of the previous article on looking at strategies that are used to help to manage emotions. Click here to read the article – strategies to help manage emotions – part 1, in this article we are covering focusing on gratitude.
To read on the previous article on strategies to help manage emotions, click on the following links: why emotions matter – part 1, why emotions matter – part 2 , why emotions matter - part 3
One way to handle or manage your emotions is by looking at the past and present and seeing how far you have been able to come. Looking back with a grateful heart helps to move forward in anticipant to what the future might bring. What is gratitude? What does the word actually mean?
According to the Merriam – Webster Dictionary, the word gratitude means “the quality of being thankful or the state of being grateful.” Or in other words, gratitude is a way of being thankful for the things that you had and been through in the past and what you currently have and are going through right now. To look at the world with a cup half full rather than half empty.
Focusing on gratitude helps you to be positive in your outlook rather than being negative. This will help tremendously as it builds a feeling of resilience and grit to face whatever lies before you.
One of the ways to practice gratitude is to be conscientious about it. You can get drowned in the difficulties and issues of life so easily, but if you are determined to focus only on gratitude for the day or hour it will help greatly. It will change your outlook and bring in a spirit of determination and courage to face what lies ahead.
What are the ways to cultivate gratitude?
1. Being thankful for the little things in life goes a long way. Many times, we think that being grateful is about big things in life. Practicing thankfulness in the small things of life helps in the overall change of perspectives.
For example, Being thankful -
For having a plate of food on your table.
For having a roof above your head.
For being able to afford school or college.
For having a job.
For family members who you can call as family.
For having a good friend who helps you in the time of difficulty.
2. Have a gratitude journal. Having a journal has proven benefits to the overall change in attitude. Keeping track of the things that you are grateful about will go a long way. It will also help when you are in a difficult situation or phase, to look through the journal and bring to mind the things that have gone well in your life. This will give you a boost to wade the difficulties of what you are going through.
3. Learning to curb the comparison outlook in your life is important for you being grateful for what you have. Sometimes we get swept away with the way others are flourishing and moving forward in life. Catching yourself immediately when you are drifting away towards those thoughts, that is a good way of keeping yourself grounded. Instead of comparing, focus on the achievements that you have had in the past.
4. Learning to appreciate others also helps to go a long way in practicing gratitude. Acknowledging other’s efforts and help allows you to look beyond your issues and difficulties. Gratitude helps to change a difficult situation into a more manageable situation. Gratitude also impacts your own happiness and enhances your quality of life.
To read more on how to manage your emotions, click on this link: why emotions matter – part 1, why emotions matter – part 2, why emotions matter – part 3, Understanding children and their emotions, strategies to help manage emotions – part 1.
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